Things are looking up at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI).
After not being satisfied with the graduates in previous years, a pleased principal Hector Belle lauded staff and students for the improved showing during the graduation ceremony Saturday at the Wildey, St Michael institution.
“Last year, when we spoke about graduation, I wasn’t a very happy principal at all. This year, I can smile a bit because the graduation rate by divisions has improved,” he said.
Belle announced there was a 71 per cent rate of graduation for ecology, 70 in agriculture, 65 in business studies, 64 for the electrical division, 61 for building and 58 per cent in automotive welding.
“These efforts have been achieved through hard work by committed staff through our enhanced method of assessment, improved quality assurance and provisions of greater flexibility, coupled with the adoption of blended learning in all divisions,” he said.
Belle, however, wants to see even better numbers.
“We still are not satisfied. We are talking about continuous improvement and one would expect in the next academic year, the future students will have something to compete with.”
The principal was also upbeat about the number of male students.
The SJPI has a roll of 1 598 students full time, on open and flexible learning, and on day releases. There are 675 males and 334 females in the full-time programmes.
“In this country, you always find that you have more females in training than males, but in this institute, the males have recognised how important it is in building up the country,” Belle said. (TG)
